Policy Governance, developed by John Carver, is a cutting edge operating system for Boards of Directors. It focuses on helping the board be accountable to the owners and CEO being accountable to the board. The only complete system of governance known in the world today, Policy Governance offers a rational framework that allows for effective and efficient governing.

About the Carver Policy Governance® Model

This section is designed to help you connect what you know about boards and governance with a premier form of governing, Policy Governance. Information here explains how Policy Governance addresses the needs, challenges and promises of good governance. It will also allow you to assess whether or not it might be right for your board. Please explore!

How could Policy Governance help me?

Invented by Dr. John Carver (sometimes referred to as the Carver Model of governance) Policy Governance® was designed to capture the essence of effective governance and delegation.
Its principles-based approach makes it a system which any organization can develop, assuming it wishes to do so and is willing to work to make it so.

Effective practice of the model results in a systems-driven organization rather than a personality-driven organization.

How Would you Know if You Need It?

Try answering the questions below:

Is your Board struggling with how to be an effective owner-representative?

Does the Board want to create accountability and an ethical tone at the top but does not quite know how?

Is your Board stuck in operations and micromanagement?

Are the structural boundaries between Board and Management fading or confused?

Is the energy of your Board stagnant?

Do you ever think there just has to be a better way?

If you answered "yes" to any or all of the questions above, Policy Governance just may be the answer you are seeking.

Impact of Policy Governance

An ethical tone is set at the top of the organization through board-developed policy.

Board work is distinctly different and independent of CEO work.

The board defines its own work process and outputs in policy.

Expected organizational outcomes and off-limits operational choices are proactively defined by the board.

A formal monitoring process is in place that allows the board to verify that those outcomes and off-limits are being adhered to.

The revolving door of staff reports is closed or, at the very least, minimized.

Because Policy Governance offers a precise philosophy, structure and process for effective governance, Boards act from intentional decision-making rather than unspoken assumptions. It brings a dynamic process to board work that focuses on the future, observes clear boundaries, and creates accountability for both the board and staff.